Mumbai, Feb 3 (IANS): A day after Anupam Kher claimed he was denied a visa to visit Pakistan for the Karachi Literature Festival, he said on Thursday that he has now been offered a visa to the country. However, the veteran actor has "given away those dates".

The actor thanked Abdul Basit, Pakistan High Commisioner in New Delhi on Twitter for offering him the visa.

"Thank you Mr. @abasitpak1 (Abdul Basit) for your call and offering me (a) visa to visit Karachi. I appreciate it. Unfortunately, I've given away those dates now," Anupam tweeted on Thursday morning.

The actor was to attend the three-day Karachi Literature Festival which begins on Friday. However, while 17 out of the 18 Indians who were due to go for the event, received their visas, the 60-year-old said he was "singled out".

However, a diplomat from the Pakistan High Commission told IANS that the actor had not submitted any visa application for his visit.

That, Anupam, described as a "laughable explanation" and wondered if it is his outspoken views on various social and political issues that led to the visa denial.